The Portland daily press., 1887-11-28
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.


The Rev. Henry Blanchard, pastor of the
Congress Square Church, delivered sermon
last evening on "a Fraternal Response to
the fraternal sermon of Rev. DIR. Fem on
The Unive-salsm of To-day"
The text was taken from 1st verse Of 13Srd
Psalm-"Behold how good and how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together in unity"
Mr.. Blanchard said: 1t is my pleasant privl-
lege, tonight, to give fraternal response to
the sermon preached last Sunday evening by
my brother the pastor of the High Street
Church. In company with many OF my par
ish was an interested and satisfied nearer
am glad to bear testimony in public, as
have in private to my brothers impartiality.
courtesy and fraternal spirit
In former days Universalism was misrep-
resented Now it is studied carefully and
its opponents make fair and courteous state
ments. Notably, the Rev. DR.. Gordon, Oh
the New Old South Church, Boston, has eu-
logized Oniversalism for its reasonable
ness, grandeur and power to inspire to noble
living. Dr. Fem has studied his subject
and his sermon may become historic. lie
knows that Universalism in America began
as Trinitarian Calvinism-that Hosea Bal
lou converted the denomination to Unitarl-
anism wears before there was an Unitarian
body--that the belief of modern Universal
lists is in final, but not immediate, happiness
and holiness-and that holiness and true
happiness are inseparably connected. The
speaker then proceeded to emu umerate the ac-
acknowledgements which his brother clergyman
had made with regard to the progress OF the
Universalist body in numbers. power, ana
educational institutions, and, above all, IN
relation to the great modification Universal
ism had made of Orthodox preaching. He
was glad to note the word of warning con-
cerning the need of thorough doctrlnal Train
ing. Impartially declaring that the same
need existed in the evangelical denomina,,
tions, DR.. Fenn's word is needed for all
Christian believers. The speaker knew that
there were Universalsts who were unframed
in theological knowledge He knew, also, OF
very many Orthodox who had no definite be-
| liefs or accurate knowledge. He gladly
| ioined his brother, therefore, in calling for
more study of Scripture, History and Doc
| trine. He was trying to do his part IN MS
own church. His sermons on church history
| this year-his lectures ON The Religions of
| the World and The Divine Origin of Chris
tianity indicated by its historical effects
| and his present series of exposltory sermons
| in the vestry were all contributions towards
| this desired end. One of his young men was
| probably the most industrious student III
| the city of Church History.
| Mr.. blanchard next dwet at length upon
| the beliefs of modern Univelsalists. His
| brother had asked for an adjournment OF the
| great uueSIlOH Oh utStluy. Ilt WOulQ nh6 W
| say ''amen." but he could not. Such ques-
| ti0n cannot be adjourned. 1t will not down
at any ones bidding. What we want is clear,
| consistent thought There may be opposi-
ton to doctrines, strenuous, continuous,
without condemnation of the holders of
these doctrines. He could find no fault with
| those, who, believing in endless punishment,
| strongly opposed Universalism. lie could
have no compromise with the doctrine that a
| Heavenly Father Furnishes forever. But he
1 a. rlxr fhn 0ld m lmmn6IQfA
| happiness and holiness at death. Modern
| Uniyersalism teaches that sin is awful, and
| that it will receive all the punishment it de-
serves, here and hereafter.
| The preacher spoke at length on the ques-
tion of the origin of the Scriptures. That is
one which must be discussed and decided
| Modern Universalism has no uncertain
/ sound concerning it. Its creed says Scrip
| lures contain a revelation. 1t JOINS with
| the foremost Biblical scholars of the world
| in saying these documents are immeasurably
precious, but they are human compositions,
containing the words of inspired prophets.
| Mr.. Blanchard, in this connection, praised
| Prof. Geo. p. Fishers new book. ''The histo-
| ry of the Christian Church." and called at
| tention to his words about the canon of the
| New Testament. He dwelt also upon
| the doctrine of the humanity of Christ.
1 While many of the older men believe in
preexistence and miraculous birth, they as
| sert the subordination and humanity OF
| Christ The trend among the younger men
| is to simple humanitarianism. They revere
| Christ as brother, as Lord and Master and
| Saviour. To these belongs the future.
| With great earnestness, Mr.. Blanchard
| dwelt on the intellectual, as well as heart,
need of faith in the final victory Of the good
| over evil, and this is Universalism.
In closing, the speaker declared that he
rejoiced to work for the union of all denom-
nations. He responded earnestly, there
fore, TO his brothers earnest appeal In
deed, he had been pleading for this union
for the last twenty years. He had tried to
have union Thanksgiving services in Port
land. He had always been ready to work
for the uplifting of men in this present
world. He gave account Of an Ancover Semln-
airy graduate, now Universalist clergyman,
Rev. Mr. Houghton of Springfield, Mass,
who had made speech at the Seminary. in
which he said the only possible basis Tor
union is Universalism. He pleaded for
| study of Universalist doctrines and Tor IN
| crease of brotherly love.
Doctrines may separate. Be it so, but love
may unite-the love of God, the love of
| Christ, the love of man. the love OF truth,
| the love of righteousness. In love OF these,
may the churches of Portland become heart
lily united, ,and so become power to establish
Gods kingdom on the earth.
wILLIsToN CHURCH.
Yesterday morning Rev. L. FL. Hallock
preached at this church on Trades
Unions" The following is an abstract:
1uc QlodobIOuo ldlllOdQ DAOChdNOo
mating in Pittsburg riots, the strike of the
Western Union operators deranging busi-
ness, and the claiming of the Anarchists for
society violence, suggest themselves in con-
nection with our theme; in other words, the
combination Of clique for purposes of ex-
tortion.
OF no such movements shall we treat to-
night. Those are the morbid developments
of principle which is really healthful and
of great value, viz. the combination of those
of one trade for their mutual protection
against the public, and against each other.
Unions of this sort, whose motto is 'A fair
profit on an honest business, and no dead
heads" is not only protection, but an in
spiration to honorable business, and pro-
motive of the general good
Such a union, in which the best men con-
troll, by virtue of their moral force, ciyiiizes
competition, and checks the cut-throat dis
position which has been so dem0rallZlng
among business men.
want to see a trades union In Portland
which will have moral force enough to COM
bine against the fragrant wrong which pre-
walls here, of r0bbing Gods Sunday, by
keeping open stores Saturday night. Why
shall men be invited to stroll the streets
until near midnight, and weary clerks be
kept upon their tired feet until ready to
drop, on SATURDAY, Wnen every OlneT nlSHJ
in the week they 60 to bed like Christians
and rise betimes in the morningp Why! Be-
cause some merchant is greedy of trade, and
seeks to steal in ahead of his neighbors, and
they, unwillingly, feel compelled to follow
suit lest they be robbed of customers, and
SO they steal four hours from Gods Sunday
and add it to mans Saturday.
The open stores are leaders in this evil;
and but for our city government gradually
they would encrOach more and more upon
holy time until, as in some parts of New.
Orleans, the Sabbath would be a gala-day,
and dry goods and ribbon be handed over
the counter as on other days.
Close the stores at 9 o'clock on Saturday.
and the people will buy just as mucn, and
your gas bills will be less, your lives will be
longer, you will have less worn-out clerks,
and broken constitutions, the churches Will
have more hearers and better ones, and you
will have paid a deserved tribute to the
Christian sentiment Of the community to
which you owe your living. Hail the trade